Group fights back against panhandling scam artists

Thursday

Jul 31, 2014 at 6:30 PM

By Annette.Manwell@hollandsentinel.com(616) 546-4270

Panhandling may be legal, but a group of West Michigan people say that doesn’t mean scam artists shouldn’t be exposed.After Dawn Tillery found out a father and son team were lying to people about being homeless, she started a Facebook page, Panhandlers in Holland Michigan Rip OFF. The response was overwhelming, with more than 600 people joining in two days.Panhandling isn’t exclusive to the Holland area, however, and people from around Michigan and beyond wanted to join and expose panhandlers who they discovered were scam artists as well.It was determined a second page was needed. But Tillery and those working with her decided keeping it local was best. The second page, West Michigan Hardly Homeless Panhandlers, had thousands join, again in a matter of two days. It had more than 3,400 followers Thursday afternoon. It focuses on Holland, South Haven and Grand Haven.Both groups are closed, Tillery said, to help manage them better. So to post or see posts, people must request to join.Tillery has had to be vigilant as an administrator of the site. Some people have suggested using paintball or water guns against the panhandlers. Tillery knew panhandling was legal and said her goal with the site is to bring awareness, not violence.“I want it to be calm,” she said. “I want it to be informational.”The legitimacy of need is based on individual circumstances, said Holland Department of Public Safety Police Capt. Jack Dykstra in a statement addressing panhandling. Panhandling is a personal and legal choice, he continued.“As long as the person follows the ordinance, we will protect their choice,” Dykstra wrote. “Anyone legally participating in this activity should not be threatened or assaulted.”Posts on social media that are threatening toward a person could be criminal but the victim would have to contact law enforcement to file a report, Dykstra said. Reports would then be investigated individually and based on facts.Similarly, people who oppose panhandling also have freedom of speech and Facebook pages are protected by free speech as well, he said, adding, “General threats may not be considered criminal depending on the circumstances.”While in Chicago once, Tillery and her husband were followed by panhandlers, a move that would be illegal in the city of Holland. The people started pounding on the couple’s windows demanding the pennies they saw in a the car's change cup.“I don’t want to see that happen in Holland,” she said, adding their mission is to get panhandlers off the street and for people to understand giving to a panhandler does not mean you helped a homeless person, “because they’re most likely not.”Holland Rescue Mission Executive Director Darryl Bartlett and his team have talked with panhandlers finding that most, if not all, refuse help, saying they can make more money on the street than going to a shelter or taking a job.“If they truly need shelter, clothing or food, we’re offering it — free of charge,” Bartlett said. “But I suspect that all too often they’re using the money for something different.”Tillery did her homework on the young man who prompted the start of the Facebook pages. She was saddened seeing someone she thought was a child begging for money but found out the man is 20 years old, panhandles with his father and regularly turns down job applications people try to give him.Tillery tells people, “If you want to give, give to the shelters or volunteer your time” instead.Bartlett agreed, saying, “If people want to give, there are hundreds of agencies in our area that help people in need. Directing your funds to one of those will make a greater and longer lasting impact than handing a dollar out the car window.”“Give to the mission, not to the corner,” Tillery said.— Follow this reporter on Facebook or Twitter, @SentinelNetty.